Dental implants have become a common solution for missing teeth. Where bridges had been the standard of care for a missing teeth only a few years ago - now they are no longer recommended. If you have a missing tooth your dentist should recommend an implant.
The teeth on either side of a missing tooth receive additional stress when they become the anchor teeth for a bridge. These teeth have the luxury of standing alone when an implant is placed.
The life of your implants depends on your oral status and hygiene habits. With proper maintenance and regular professional cleanings, dental implants can last a lifetime. A dental implant replaces a missing tooth or anchors a bridge or denture. It has two parts: the implant post and the implant restoration. The post is a small, titanium screw placed into the socket left by a missing tooth. The implant post mimics a natural tooth root, providing a strong foundation for your final tooth restoration.
Dental implants are placed in our office almost as commonly as we place fillings. It is important that you see a dentist that places implants on a regular basis. It is also very important that your dentist utilize 3D imaging for the optimal placement of the implant. With 3D imaging we see where the most optimal bone is for the placement for each implant. The imaging also tells us where important landmarks are located that we need to preserve and avoid.
Remember to consider an implant for a missing tooth - it is the new standard of care!
